By Sailu Bah
As the price of fuel has drastically reduced in the world from US$140
per barrel in July last year to about US$60 per barrel today, the
effect of this reduction is not being felt in The Gambia where the
pump prices of petrol and diesel has been increasing.According to media reports, the price of crude oil, from which petrol
and diesel are extracted, is expected to fall further in the coming
months.
In the Gambia in 2014 alone, the prices of both petrol and diesel
(gasoil) have increased twice. The last hike was on 1st September
2014, when petrol increased from D57. 52 to D58.52 per litre and
diesel from D54.09 to D55.09 per litre.
A report by Global Petrol Prices indicates that the average price of
gasoline around the world as at 23-Feb-2015 is 1.05 US Dollar per
liter, while that of diesel is 0.95 US Dollar per liter.
However, there is substantial difference in these prices among
countries. As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices
while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil
have significantly lower prices. One notable exception is the U.S.
which is an economically advanced country but has low gas prices. The
differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes
and subsidies for gasoline.
The reason why fuel prices in The Gambia remain unaffected by the
slump in world market prices is still unknown
However, Mr. Abdou Kolley, the then Minister of Finance and Economic
Affairs, while soliciting the approval of the National Assembly for a
D300 million dalasi Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 2013, told
the deputies that the amount of D189 million dalasi will be taken from
the 300 million dalasi to finance, through the gradual increase of the
petroleum pump price to ensure the near elimination of the subsidy by
the end of 2013.
Foroyaa has made numerous efforts to meet the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs as well as the Energy Ministry to discuss the issue but
still without success.]]>
